We Have Back to School Safety on Our Minds

Thousands of school children across Georgia will be heading back to school after the summer break, raising concerns about accidents involving kids.

As Georgia personal injury lawyers, we are concerned that the summer traffic lull might lead to a sense of complacency among motorists. As schools reopen, there are going to be a markedly higher number of students walking and bicycling to and from school. There will also be hundreds of school buses, as well as parents picking up and dropping off their kids at crucial times.

It’s important that parents talk to their kids about traffic safety before the school season begins.

If your child walks to school, try to make sure he walks in a group. Pedestrians in groups are typically safer than those walking alone.

Teach your child to avoid unknown shortcuts.

Teach him the basics of crossing the street – only on a designated crosswalk and after looking left, right and left for approaching cars.

If your child is bicycling to school, make sure he is wearing a helmet.

Look for safer, quieter routes that may keep him safe from aggressive and impatient motorists.

Exercise caution while at a school bus stop. An accident just this month in Atlanta killed a 6-yer-old child as she was walking around the front of the bus with her mother. The child was struck by a motorist who illegally passed the bus and sped ahead.

Parents who intend to pick up and drop off their kids everyday to and from school, must slow down in a school zone. Remember that a school zone, during starting and closing hours, is crowded with other impatient parents, children and general motorists.

Motorists in general, must slow down in a school zone. Look out for children at crosswalks, and intersections, especially in areas that are home to a number of schools. Remember that traffic is now back to normal, and exercise care and caution at all times.